Key facts
- The Supreme Court recognized homemakers as 'nation builders'.
- A notional monthly income of Rs 30,000 was set for calculating compensation for loss of domestic care.
- This compensation is for motor accident cases and is in addition to existing categories.
- The court emphasized the measurable economic and social value of domestic care.
- The ruling aims to bring consistency to compensation calculations for loss of homemaker services.
The Supreme Court of India has recognized homemakers as 'nation builders' and established a notional monthly income of Rs 30,000 for calculating compensation in motor accident cases where the loss of domestic care is a factor. The ruling, delivered by a bench comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and N Kotiswar Singh, aims to acknowledge the economic and social value of unpaid household work.
The court stated that the work performed by homemakers extends beyond routine duties and possesses measurable economic and social value, deserving independent recognition in compensation calculations under the Motor Vehicles Act. This new category of compensation for the loss of domestic care will operate alongside existing recognized damages, such as those outlined in the Pranay Sethi judgment.